Eight workers died and more than 30 were feared trapped after a coal mine collapsed on Thursday night in Jharkhand’s Godda district, India, the latest accident in a country with a poor record of industrial safety.

The mining operation was part of the Rajmahal Opencast Project of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL). It was being carried out by Mahalaxmi Company on behalf of the ECL at Paharia Bhodaye site in Godda district, nearly 250 km from the state capital Ranchi.

According to police, the incident occurred during a shift change late on Thursday and rescue operation could not be started in the night due to darkness and fog.